Abstract: Methods and machines for cutting solid and semisolid materials, for example, food products. The machine has a dicing unit that has a feed drum, circular cutter, and cross-cutter each individually rotatably mounted to a support structure by cantilevered shafts. The machine further has a knife for producing slices of a solid or semisolid material, circular knives on the circular cutter to cut the slices into strips, and cross-cut knives on the cross-cutter to dice the strips. The machine also has a stripper plate for removing the strips from the circular cutter, and an outboard support assembly for supporting and radially centering outboard ends of the shafts of the feed drum, circular cutter, and cross-cutter and for supporting and securing the stripper plate relative thereto.

Abstract: A leafy plant trimmer that is operable by a single person has a basket that is rotated in relation to a stationary sling in order to trim plants placed within the basket. The basket and the sling are housed within a trimmer body that is pivotally connected to a pivot stand. The trimmer body can be rotated between a product loading position for filling the basket and an in-use position for trimming the plants within the basket. A motor housed in the trimmer body spins the basket through a drive shaft. The motor is electrically connected to a timer such that the trimmer can be operated at designated time intervals. Trimmings are expelled from the trimmer body through a debris hole and collected below. A first receptacle attachment and a second receptacle attachment are positioned below the trimmer body and allow a receptacle to be positioned for collecting the trimmings.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus suitable for cutting food product. The apparatus includes an annular-shaped cutting head and an impeller coaxially mounted within the cutting head for rotation about an axis of the cutting head in a rotational direction relative to the cutting head. The cutting head has lower and upper structural members, circumferentially-spaced support segments between the lower and upper structural members, and at least one knife assembly located at a perimeter of the cutting head adjacent a corresponding one of the support segments. The knife assembly includes a holder having a slot, a knife partially received within the slot, and tensioning means for inducing a longitudinal tension in the knife.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus suitable for cutting food product. The apparatus includes an annular-shaped cutting head and an impeller coaxially mounted within the cutting head for rotation about an axis of the cutting head in a rotational direction relative to the cutting head. The cutting head has lower and upper structural members, circumferentially-spaced support segments between the lower and upper structural members, and at least one knife assembly located at a perimeter of the cutting head adjacent a corresponding one of the support segments. The knife assembly includes a holder having a slot, a knife partially received within the slot, and tensioning means for inducing a longitudinal tension in the knife.

Abstract: Impeller for a centrifugal food cutting apparatus, comprising a base plate and at least one set of paddle parts mounted on the base plate and provided for imparting centrifugal force to food products to be cut. Each set comprises inner and outer paddle parts defining at least a first stage and a second, cutting stage, the inner and outer paddle parts being offset from each other in radial and angular direction of the impeller, such that a safe compartment is defined for food product which is in the second stage.

Abstract: Cutting head assembly for a centrifugal cutting apparatus, comprising a plurality of drum stations, at least one of which is a cutting station, provided for together forming a drum, and fixing parts provided for assembling and holding the drum stations together. The drum stations have overlapping parts with each time at least one receiving part for receiving one of the fixing parts, such that in assembled condition the adjacent drum stations are each time fixed to each other by means of at least one of the fixing parts at the overlapping parts of the adjacent drum stations.

Abstract: A blade clamp for use in an automated, high speed potato slicing apparatus to slice chips to a predetermined size for packaging purposes. The blade clamp includes a cutting head; a blade mount having a slot therein; a first knife element between the cutting head and the blade mount, the first knife element having a first cutting edge; and optionally a second knife element having a second knife edge, the second knife element extending from the slot of the blade mount, such that the first and second cutting edges are substantially orthogonal to each other.

Abstract: An impeller for use in a food cutting apparatus. The impeller is adapted to be mounted coaxially within a cutting head having one or more cutting knives disposed about a circumference thereof. The impeller is equipped with paddles such that, as the impeller rotates within the cutting head, the paddles force food product radially outward toward the stationary cutting knives of the cutting head. The paddles are equipped with grooves on at least one face thereof. The grooves preferably extend across the entire surface of the paddle face for the purpose of promoting the stability of the food product relative to the impeller.

Abstract: Apparatus for cutting products, comprising: a base; a cutting head rotatably fitted to the base; an impeller adapted for rotating concentrically within the cutting head to urge products fed into the cutting head towards the circumference of the cutting head by means of centrifugal force; an impeller drive mechanism for driving the rotation of the impeller at an impeller rotational speed setting the centrifugal force; and a cutting head drive mechanism for driving the rotation of the cutting head at a cutting head rotational speed which is greater than the impeller rotational speed.

Abstract: A system comprising a plurality of apparatuses for cutting products, comprising: a base; a cutting head with at least one cutting element along the circumference of the cutting head for cutting products fed into the cutting head, the cutting head being rotatably fitted to the base; an impeller adapted for rotating concentrically within the cutting head to urge products fed into the cutting head towards the circumference of the cutting head by means of centrifugal force; a first drive mechanism for driving the rotation of the impeller at a first rotational speed setting the centrifugal force; and a second drive mechanism for driving the rotation of the cutting head at a second rotational speed, determined such with respect to the first rotational speed that the product is cut by the at least one cutting element at a predetermined cutting velocity; and a controller for controlling said apparatuses.

Abstract: Apparatus for cutting products, comprising: a base; a cutting head with at least one cutting element along the circumference of the cutting head for cutting products fed into the cutting head, the cutting head being rotatably fitted to the base; an impeller adapted for rotating concentrically within the cutting head to urge products fed into the cutting head towards the circumference of the cutting head by means of centrifugal force; a first drive mechanism for driving the rotation of the impeller at a first rotational speed setting the centrifugal force; and a second drive mechanism for driving the rotation of the cutting head at a second rotational speed, determined such with respect to the first rotational speed that the product is cut by the at least one cutting element at a predetermined cutting velocity.

Abstract: Apparatuses for cutting food product are provided having a cutting head. The cutting head includes one or more knife assemblies. Each knife assembly includes a knife extending toward the food product and is adapter to secure the knife to the cutting head. The knife has a corrugated shape to produce a food product slice with generally parallel cuts wherein the food product slice has a periodic shape and a large-amplitude cross-section.

Abstract: A cutting apparatus having an annular-shaped cutting head and an impeller assembly coaxially mounted for rotation within the cutting head to deliver food products radially outward toward the cutting head. The cutting head has at least one knife extending radially inward toward the impeller assembly. The knife has a cutting edge at a radially innermost extremity and a radially outer face that defines a trajectory plane for slices removed from the products by the cutting edge. The knife is clamped to the cutting head with a clamping feature that provides clearance for slices when traveling the trajectory plane of the knife.

Abstract: Modified slicing shoes and method for making food product shavings. A conventional slicing shoe for insertion into a slicing head assembly used in conjunction with a centrifugal type slicing machine is modified. The modified slicing shoes comprise a cutting edge having top and bottom ends that protrude towards the interior of a slicing head assembly as a vertex protrudes away from the interior such that the blade is not confined to one plane. In one embodiment, the slicing shoe blade cutting edge and its components comprise a V-shape having an angle that ranges from between about 90° to about 140°. In a second embodiment, the slicing shoe and its components are curvilinear having a curvature ranging from about 1.5 cm to about 2.0 cm. The shape of the blade and its corresponding components allow for the production of snack chips having folded or curled shapes.

Abstract: A cutting wheel using knives with slice thickness gauging surfaces defining, with the knife cutting edges, a thickness dimension of sliced food products and a throat dimension measured perpendicular to the wheel cutting plane between each knife cutting edge and the terminal edge of the adjacent gauging surface, wherein the knives each have a single primary bevel extending practically tangent to the cutting plane on the side of the knife facing towards the cutting plane and a smooth transition area on the opposite side of the knife, and the ratio of throat dimension to slice thickness dimension is 1 to 1.7.

Abstract: A cutting wheel using knives with slice thickness gauging surfaces defining, with the knife cutting edges, a thickness dimension of sliced food products and a throat dimension measured perpendicular to the wheel cutting plane between each knife cutting edge and the terminal edge of the adjacent gauging surface, wherein the knives each have a single primary bevel extending practically tangent to the cutting plane on the side of the knife facing towards the cutting plane and a smooth transition area on the opposite side of the knife, and the ratio of throat dimension to slice thickness dimension is 1 to 1.7.

Abstract: A cutting apparatus having an annular-shaped cutting head and an impeller assembly coaxially mounted for rotation within the cutting head to deliver food products radially outward toward the cutting head. The cutting head has at least one knife extending radially inward toward the impeller assembly. The impeller assembly is equipped with paddles, each having a radially outer extremity adjacent the impeller assembly, a radially inner extremity, and a face therebetween facing the rotational direction of the impeller assembly. According to preferred aspects of the invention, removable posts radially extend from the radially outer extremity of each paddle, and/or the face of each paddle has grooves transverse to a radial of the impeller assembly.

Abstract: Modified slicing shoes and method for making food product shavings. A conventional slicing shoe for insertion into a slicing head assembly used in conjunction with a centrifugal type slicing machine is modified. The modified slicing shoes comprise a cutting edge having top and bottom ends that protrude towards the interior of a slicing head assembly as a vertex protrudes away from the interior such that the blade is not confined to one plane. In one embodiment, the slicing shoe blade cutting edge and its components comprise a V-shape having an angle that ranges from between about 90° to about 140°. In a second embodiment, the slicing shoe and its components are curvilinear having a curvature ranging from about 1.5 cm to about 2.0 cm. The shape of the blade and its corresponding components allow for the production of snack chips having folded or curled shapes.

Abstract: [Problem] The present invention aims to provide an ice shaving machine that can produce a quantity of shaved ice powder without a fuss and that makes less noise. [Means of Solving the Problem] An ice shaving machine comprises an ice shaving chamber in which is provided a slit that a shaving blade faces, a rotary vane for rotating ice charged into the ice shaving chamber, a motor mechanism for rotating the rotary vane, a rotating hopper that stores the ice in the ice shaving chamber and coaxially rotates with the rotary vane, and an ice stocker that is provided above the rotating hopper and has openings at the lower and upper ends. The rotating hopper has a diameter that is reduced upwards, and the ice stocker coaxially rotates with the rotary vane and the rotating hopper.

Abstract: A cutting apparatus for slicing potatoes includes an impeller hub block, impeller tubes radially extending from the impeller hub block, and a cutting assembly circumferentially surrounding at least a portion of the impeller hub block. The impeller hub block includes a potato holding area and an opening for receiving potatoes into the holding area. The impeller tubes have an entry aperture and an exit aperture, and a longitudinal length greater than about 5 inches. The impeller hub block is rotatable about a central vertical axis and each impeller tube is rotatable about its own longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A machine and process are provided for forming small, random sized potato pieces suitable for use in preparing potato hash browns and potato patties and the like. Blanched potatoes are chilled and then swept against a blunt edge resulting in shattering of each potato into relatively small, random-sized pieces. If desired, each blunt shatter-edge can be provided in a knife unit including one or more cross-cut knives to subdivide larger shattered pieces into a smaller size. The produced potato pieces are chilled as by freezing or by chilling to a refrigerated temperature for shipment and/or storage pending finish preparation.

Abstract: A cutting device that cuts an edge portion of a sheet bundle to an even length, in which a plurality of sheet have been stacked, using a cutting blade, the cutting device includes: a paddle shaft capable of being rotated, which is connected to a drive source provided in the vicinity of the cutting blade; and a plurality of paddles provided on the paddle shaft in a rotary axis direction thereof; wherein the plurality of paddles are arranged in a single line with the same phase as each other on the paddle shaft.

Abstract: A cutting head mounting and supporting ring assembly having an interlocking joint arrangement for mounting the cutting head on a food slicing machine. The ring assembly includes a support ring having a plurality of circumferentially spaced, radially extending flange segments having a flange end portion inclined relative to the axis thereof, and a mounting ring having a plurality of circumferentially spaced axially extending protrusions having a protrusion end portion inclined relative to the axis thereof. The flange and protrusion surfaces of the flange segments and the protrusions are complementary shaped and arranged to mutually engage face-to-face to define scarf type joint connections when they are interdigited.

Abstract: An improved cutting head for a food product on a slicing machine including upper and lower mounting rings, a plurality of cutter support segments connected to the mounting rings, a cutting blade attached to a front edge portion of each cutter support segment, and opposed first and second pivot pins extending from upper and lower portions of the cutter support segment and through the upper and lower mounting rings. Each of the pivot pins are positioned at a location closely adjacent to a forward edge of the cutter support segment and substantially near a cutting edge of the cutting blade.

Abstract: A slicing machine includes a tapered slicing gate for use in cutting products such as potatoes or the like into a plurality of slices each having a tapered thickness. The slicing machine generally corresponds to U.S. Pat. No. 3,521,688 and includes a rotary impeller for carrying the products by centrifugal force against an interior surface of a nonrotating cylindrical outer impeller housing, a portion of which defines an adjustable slicing gate forming a cutting slot of controlled thickness relative to a stationary slicing knife for cutting the products into the plurality of slices. A tapered ramp is formed or mounted at a downstream end of the slicing gate so that the cutting slot and the resultant slices have a tapered configuration. The tapered slices may be cut further into elongated strips, such as French fry potato strips, having a tapered lengthwise thickness.

Abstract: An improved impeller for use in a rotary food slicing machine comprising a rear base plate and at least one forward ring secured in axial spaced parallel relation relative to the rear base plate and a plurality of circumferentially spaced planar paddles spanning the base plate and the forward ring. The paddles are each oriented to extend at an angle relative to the radius of the rear base plate and the at least one forward ring. Moreover, the end of each paddle located adjacent to the rear base plate is arranged in a partially trailing relationship relative to the end of the paddle located adjacent the at least one forward ring with respect to the intended direction of rotation of the impeller.

Abstract: A machine for cutting a food product includes a stationary structure with a food product guide surface for guiding a food product along a path of travel. A knife wheel support which rotatably supports the knife wheel and is pivotally attached to the stationary structure so as to pivot about a pivot axis extending substantially parallel to the knife wheel axis, such that the knife wheel axis is movable along an arcuate path about the pivot axis. A plurality of adjustable stripper plates extends between adjacent circular knives which slice the food product into a plurality of strips prior to the food product being cut by a cross-cut knife, the stripper plates having an adjustable attaching mechanism connecting them to the stationary structure to facilitate the adjustment of the distance between the stripper plates and the food guide surface so as to readily accommodate a food product having a variety of thicknesses.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a replaceable blade cartridge and a compatible assembly for holding the cartridge wherein an old blade cartridge is slidably removed from the holding assembly and a new blade is slidably inserted into the holding assembly. Specifically, a replaceable blade cartridge for use in a compatible cutting head assembly of a centrifugal type slicer is disclosed.

Abstract: Inside-out cutter apparatus for cutting fiber tow into predetermined lengths including rotatable cylindrical member defining an axially extending passageway for receiving fiber tow therethrough and an outlet opening on periphery of cylindrical member through which fiber tow emerges onto work surface formed around periphery, work surface including at least one guide shoulder and a base surface bordering along length of guide shoulder with guide shoulder and base surface angled to position fiber tow on work surface at acute angle to axis of rotation and away from alignment with direct circumferential path leading from outlet opening, and an array of knives extending around work surface with cutting edges facing toward and spaced from work surface; and method of cutting fiber tow inside-out into predetermined lengths including steps of rotating circumferential work surface around an axis, feeding fiber tow within work surface through opening in periphery of work surface onto work surface, positioning fiber tow a

Abstract: The present invention discloses a replaceable blade cartridge and a compatible assembly for holding the cartridge wherein an old blade cartridge is slidably removed from the holding assembly and a new blade is slidably inserted into the holding assembly. Specifically, a replaceable blade cartridge for use in a compatible cutting head assembly of a centrifugal type slicer is disclosed.

Abstract: An improved cutting head for slicing a food product is disclosed wherein the cutting head includes a lower mounting ring attached to the bottom of the cutter support segments to position the cutter support segments and which lower mounting ring rests on and is supported by the cutting head support ring. The cutting head also includes an adjustment mechanism to adjust the width of the slicing opening, the mechanism having an adjustment member which is configured to engage a pin attached to a cutter support segment and to contact an adjusting surface on the upper mounting ring so as to space the pin a predetermined distance from the adjusting surface. The cutting head also includes a system for removably attaching the cutting blade to the cutter support segment such that the blade may be readily removed and replaced without completely removing the clamping member from the cutter support segment.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a replaceable blade cartridge and a compatible assembly for holding the cartridge wherein an old blade cartridge is slidably removed from the holding assembly and a new blade is slidably inserted into the holding assembly. Specifically, a replaceable blade cartridge for use in a compatible cutting head assembly of a centrifugal type slicer is disclosed.

Abstract: In an apparatus for cutting a tubular film into an elongated strip wherein the tubular film is fed at a given velocity in flattened form from a supply reel to an expansion zone where the film is expanded into a tube, advanced after such expansion along a mandrel, cut into a flat strip while advancing along the mandrel, and the flat strip is removed from the mandrel at an angle to the mandrel axis, the mandrel is hollow and air is introduced into the hollow mandrel under sufficient pressure that the flattened film is expanded into a relatively stiff cylindrical tube that makes a sliding fit with the mandrel and resists deformation while being supported thereon, Improved positive control over the film during its expansion and advance to the mandrel is achieved by means of moving surfaces, e.g. endless belts or roller arrays, that define a diverging expansion zone and are driven at a velocity equal to the velocity at which the film is fed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cutting machine for tuberiform vegetables or root crops, in which a rotor (2) is mounted rotatably in a rotation casing (1), the rotor carrying the material (4) and pressing it against the inner wall of the rotation casing. The casing is defined over a circumferential section thereof by a flap (7) mounted pivotally on the casing, with the flap when open defining a cutting gap (8) with a slice-cutting cutter (6) fixed on the casing. An adjusting device (20) is provided for pivoting the flap (7) and adjusting the thickness of the cut. A strip cutter (25), which is mounted on a driven cutting belt (10), is fitted with transversely lying cutters (12) which cut the slices (4a) into strips (4b) in a cutting zone. Downstream of the strip cutter is a dice cutter (26) which cuts the strips into dice and can comprise a circular cutter shaft or the like.

Abstract: Flexible tubular film is helically cut into a flat strip by feeding the tubular film in flattened form from a supply source to a film feeding means advancing the flat film tube at a predetermined velocity to a tube expansion zone in which the flat tube is expanded into a generally cylindrical tube and passed axially over a hollow mandrel slightly less in external diameter than the diameter of the expanded tube to be cut helically while on the mandrel into a flat strop that is removed at an angle to the mandrel axis. The tube is expanded in the zone by inflation with air fed through the mandrel in a direction countercurrent to the direction of tube movement and under a pressure sufficient to render the expanded tube stiff as it slides over the mandrel and resistant to deformation while being helically cut.

Abstract: A integrally-formed knife for producing thick waffle-cut and lattice-cut potato slices has a blade and a shank extending rearwardly from the blade. The blade has opposing inclined surfaces which meet at a forward blade portion to define a thin corrugated cutting edge. Each blade surface has undulations defining a set of alternating grooves and ridges each extending rearwardly from the cutting edge and terminating at the shank. The relative inclination of the blade surfaces results in progressively greater blade thickness at a rear blade portion such that the blade is relatively rigid and self-supporting. This eliminates use of clamps on the opposing blade faces and consequent interference by clamps with slicing. The sets of grooves diverge relative to one another adjacent the rear blade portion where their bottoms are spaced in a direction transverse to the blade surfaces. The shank is unobtrusively connected to the relatively wide rear blade portion between the bottoms of rearward ends of the grooves.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting tow into staple including a shaft having a tow passageway for guiding tow into a cutting mechanism as well as fluid inlet and fluid outlet passageways for providing a cooling media to a whorl assembly; a whorl assembly attached to the shaft and having a tow outlet in communicaiton with the tow passageway and cooling fluid chambers in communication with the fluid inlet and outlets; a rotor assembly mounted around the shaft and the whorl assembly that has a plurality of cutting blades for cutting the tow that is progressing through the shaft and whorl a ssembly into staple having uniform lengths.

Abstract: An ice shaving machine in which a blade for shaving ice is adjustably supported by a blade mounting and adjustment plate for adjustment of the depth of penetration of the blade into a slot and thus into the ice, and is also adjustable to level the blade across the slot. A unique drain system, is also provided, in which at least one air gap is provided between the ice receptacle and a drain tube to prevent migration of molds, bacteria and the like into the ice receptacle from the drain tube. A drive motor is connected through a drive shaft for direct driving engagement with an impeller, and serially arranged plural moisture seals are associated with the shaft to prevent movement of moisture along the shaft to the motor.

Abstract: An apparatus for slicing vegetables includes a stationary member holding stationary knives about the periphery of a rotating impeller hub. The hub has a hollow central opening for receiving vegetables. A plurality of circular tubular extensions having circular openings therein extending radially from the central opening in the impeller hub. Each circular opening has an impeller tube located therein. The impeller tube transports the vegetable outwardly by centrifugal force against the cutting knives. As the impeller hub rotates inside the stationary knife holding member the impeller tube simultaneously rotates upon the impeller hub such that each successive slice of the vegetable is at an angle, preferably 90 degrees, to the preceding slide. A bearing is located between the impeller tube and the impeller hub to allow this relative rotation. A pair of seals, one on each side of the bearing, prevents water and other contaminants from entering the bearing.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for feeding whole produce items, especially those with peels, to a centrifugal slicer so as to maximize the amount of whole slices and retention of peel includes an insert block with a central vertical infeed passage, a plurality of horizontal radially extending passages from the central passage, the end of the passageway shaped to allow the product being sliced to wedge in the passageways and prevent product bounce and roll during slicing.

Abstract: An improved package wind cutter utilizes a specially configured guide hook carried on the periphery of a reduced diameter winder dome to eliminate the need for a pressure roller mounted internally of the winder dome, thereby simplifying the manufacture, operation and maintenance of the apparatus and appreciably improving the strand distribution characteristics of the cutter as the relative speed of the cutter reel and winder dome are varied. The improved guide hook passes the strand from the dome to the reel with minimum separation from both the reel and the remaining pressure roller.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monolayering sliced wafer-like articles such as fruit or vegetable slices to enhance further product processing. The apparatus includes a slice catcher in cooperative relationship with a centrifugal slicer such that discharged product slices impinge onto the slice catcher inner surface and are captured by a flow of liquid passing over the slice catcher inner surface. The slices are controllably separated, conveyed and deposited in monolayered fashion on a conveyor for subsequent processing.

Abstract: A domestic ice shaver comprises a box-like base frame unit having a top surface beyond which a drive shaft rotated by a built-in motor protrudes, a shaver case unit mounted on the base frame unit and having a shaved ice piece discharge port to which a shaving blade faces, a rotary blade unit fixed to the upper end of the drive shaft within the shaver case unit and having, on its top, a cylindrical hopper, and a cover unit mounted to the shaver case unit to cover an upper portion thereof and having a central openable lid. There is provided on the outer surface of the shaver case unit a shaving blade block detachably disposed rearwardly of the shaved ice piece discharged port. The shaving blade block has a front edge portion mounted with the shaving blade confronting the shaved ice piece discharge port.

Abstract: In order to provide a method and a disc cutter machine for carrying out the method with which the previously strenuous blade receiver exchange is simplified and facilitated, it is provided that the blade receiver (8) to be exchanged is tilted up by means of a tilting arrangement (19) with its end facing the outer side of the disc cutter, received by a guide (27) and drawn out substantially in the radial direction along the guide from the region of the disc cutter (6) and then the new blade receiver is inserted along the guide into the disc cutter.

Abstract: A centrifugal slicer is provided with an in-feed apparatus for feeding one item of produce at a time to be sliced. The in-feed apparatus includes a block with a channel having an inlet at the center of the slicer impeller for gravity feed of items to be sliced to an outlet located at a single area on the periphery of the slicer impeller.

Abstract: An improved rotary cutting apparatus is provided for cutting vegetables, particularly such as potatoes, into a distribution of strip sizes not exceeding a predetermined length limit. The apparatus comprises a conventional rotary impeller having peripheral blades for carrying potatoes into cutting relation with a slicing knife on an impeller housing for dividing the potatoes into slices followed by subsequent cutting into strips by strips knives on an adjacent cross-cut spindle. The impeller further includes an axially centered divider ring defining a pair of annular chambers for potato passage outwardly to the slicing knife, wherein longer potatoes are required to orient with their longitudinal axes extending generally radially with respect to the impeller, and generally perpendicular to the slicing knife, to limit the maximum length of the cut slices and the resultant cut strips.

Abstract: Pieces of produce are sliced in a centrifugal slicer having an impeller rotating within a cylindrical slicing head having one or more slicing knives, the slicing head being rotated in the same direction as the impeller but at a rotational speed less than that of the impeller. This results in significantly less waste and scrap as compared to a conventional commercial slicer.

Abstract: Food product pieces are formed with corrugations on opposite sides thereof, wherein the corrugations are substantially parallel and of substantially equal frequency and amplitude, and wherein the corrugations on one side are phase-shifted with respect to the corrugations on the opposite side by about 1/4 of the pitch distance of the corrugations. As a result, a food product piece with unique texture, flavor and appearance is produced after later cooking processes.

Abstract: A cutter for food materials, has a holder including a corrugated distal end and an intermediate stepped portion forming a rearwardly extending groove. A corrugated cutter is disposed on the holder and includes a corrugated cutting edge extending forwardly of the distal end of the holder and a rearward end engaged in the groove. A vertical cutter located on the corrugated cutter and includes a plurality of vertically extending blades provided therein and spaced away from one another by a constant distance and a rearward end engaged in the groove. A clamp member is fixedly attached to the holder and pressed into engagement with the corrugated and vertical cutter, the distal end edge of the clamp member having a corrugation corresponding to that of the corrugated cutter and having slots each of which receives one of the vertically extending blades of the vertical cutter and has a length larger than the width of the blade.

Abstract: This is a food-cutting apparatus wherein: a cutting blade is disposed on a back surface of a cutting plate so as to protrude its front tip from an opening provided in the cutting plate; the cutting plate is disconnectably mounted on a mounting plate having a saddlelike engaging recess at its middle portion; the mounting plate engages at its engaging recess rotatably with a supporting rod interposed between a pair of arms provided on the supporting plate which is provided in a back side of the cutting plate; a width of the cutting blade is shorter in dimension than a length of an interval between the pair of arms; and, interposed between a rear portion of the mounting plate and the supporting plate are a spring and an adjusting means for adjusting a protruding amount of the front tip of the cutting blade.